House 16 seat draws three GOP candidates

Tuesday

Apr 17, 2012 at 11:52 AM

The boundaries of state House District 16 may have shifted under recent redistricting.

By Kate Elizabeth QueramKate.Queram@StarNewsOnline.com

The boundaries of state House District 16 may have shifted under recent redistricting, but according to the three Republicans vying for a seat there, the major issues of the election cycle remain the same.Previously, the district encompassed Pender County and the northern tip of New Hanover. Under the new lines, the boundaries shifted west, out of New Hanover and into Onslow County."It really hasn't changed the approach or the principles. The message is the message, whether you're in the western side of Onslow County or the northern part of New Hanover." said Chris Millis, a civil engineer who will face Tim Thomas and Jeff Howell in the May 8 Republican primary.There is no Democratic opposition for the seat.All three men are from Hampstead.Though each candidate said the economy continues to be a major issue in the upcoming elections, the three men approached it differently. Millis, for example, believes that economic growth is directly linked to fiscal responsibility at the state level."It's about creating an environment for each and every one of us to be able to prosper, and that environment can only be created if we have a government that reins in our spending," he said.For Howell, a business owner, the issue of economic development is directly tied to North Carolina's gas tax."Gas has ties to everything. It has everything to do with the economy," he said. "The guys I work with in construction, they work payday to payday and they're paying $500 to $700 a month in gas. That's a house payment, that's rent. They can't afford to do anything. It's just ridiculous."Thomas, owner of a demolition and storm-recovery business, said he believes that regional economic growth is stalled by the tax system in the Tar Heel State."We're going to have restructure the tax system in North Carolina. We've got one of the highest gas taxes, income taxes and sales taxes," he said "That's got to change."The District 16 seat was held previously by Rep. Carolyn Justice, of Hampstead, who announced in February that she wouldn't seek reelection to the seat she held for a decade. In a statement, Justice said she considered running against state Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, but decided against it "after much prayer and consideration."

Kate Elizabeth Queram: 343-2217On Twitter: @kate_goes_bleu

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